Influence of varying nitrogen levels on growth, yield and nitrogen use efficiency of hybrid maize (Zea mays)

Abstract

Present investigation was carried out at Natore Sugar Mills area, Natore, Bangladesh during 2014-15 to evaluate the growth and yield responses of hybrid maize varieties under different levels of nitrogen fertilization. Two hybrid maize varieties viz. BARI hybrid maize-7 and BARI hybrid maize-9 were tested under four nitrogen levels (N0= without external nitrogen supply, N1= 115 kg N ha -1 , N2= 230 kg N ha -1 , and N3= 345 kg N ha -1 ). All recommendations agronomic practices were used for both the , grain number line -1 ,1000-grains weight, grain weight cob -1 ,grain yield, straw yield and biological yield) were measured during and on the completion of the study. BARI hybrid maize-9 achieved maximum yield (10.99 t ha -1 ) and it was followed by the BARI hybrid maize-7 (10.37 t ha -1 ). Results of study revealed that yield traits and final yield significantly increased with increasing nitrogen fertilizer from 0 to 345 kg ha -1. Among various tested N-fertilizer doses, highest grain yield was obtained from the plot treated with N3 treatment (345 kg ha -1 ) but it was not statistically differing from the N2 treatment (230 kg ha -1 ). Therefore, N2 treatment (230 kg ha -1 ) could be recommended for variety BARI hybrid maize-9 as the best economical nitrogen level for maximum economical yield of maize.

Effect of different levels of nitrogen on growth and yield of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) varieties

“…Nitrogen doses 180 kg ha -1 , 200 kg ha -1 and 220 kg ha -1 had a statistically similar number of rows per cob i.e., 14.27, 14.56 and 14.97 respectively (Table 3). Similar results were obtained by Majid et al, (2017), Gungula et al (2003), Waqas (2002), who found the increase in grain row per cob with the increase in N level.…”

“…Whereas, Nitrogen dose of 160 kg ha -1 had the least cob diameter (4.10 cm) ( Table 3). A similar result was obtained by Majid et al (2017), who observed the highest cob diameter with the application of 225 kg N ha -1 . Similarly, Saleem et al (2017), Oktum and Oktern (2005) noted the significant increment in cob diameter with increasing level of Nitrogen.…”

Performance of heat resilient maize hybrids to different levels of fertilizers in Tungabhadra Project command area

“…Further, application of 125 % or 100 % NPK increased cob length indicated that these hybrids respond for high level of nutrients. Results are in line with the findings of Majid et al (2017) and Patil et al (2018). Application of different nitrogen doses had significant influence the girth of cob in BARI hybrid maize-7 and BARI hybrid maize-9.…”

“…Thus there was increase in test weight. Similar results were reported by Majid et al (2017).Higher yield of maize hybrids viz., RCRMH-3 and RCRMH-2 was due to significantly superior growth and yield parameters viz., plant height, number of green leaves per plant, leaf area per plant, leaf area index, leaf area duration, total dry matter accumulation, cob length, cob girth, no. Of grains cob -1 and test weight.…”

“…The cob girth increased with increasing nitrogen levels. BARI hybrid maize-9 produced the highest cob girth (16.67 cm) with application of 345 kg N ha -1 , which hasn't significant difference with 230 kg N ha -1 (Majid et al, 2017). Patil et al (2018) observed that, application of 200 kg N ha -1 recorded significantly higher number of cobs plant -1 , cob length and cob girth without husk as compared to rest of nitrogen levels (100 and 150 kg N ha -1 ).…”